Introduction

In this study session, you will learn about the benefits of HIV testing and your role as a health professional in counselling and testing for HIV infection, an important prevention measure.

The focus of this study session is provider-initiated HIV testing and counselling (PITC) and rapid HIV testing, but other issues such as confidentiality and informed consent will also be addressed.

PITC is HIV testing which is initiated by the health professional either in their primary health care facility or at community level, and is part of the developing role for health professionals in preventing the spread of HIV and identifying those individuals at risk and in need of treatment.